Page 13 of Every Breath

Sexy? Where did that come from? Get a hold of yourself, girl. Just then, the object of her thoughts appeared.

“Hi, DJ. I’m glad you could make it. Why don’t you put your stuff down and Ben can show you his new game.” Mason spoke to her son, but his intense green eyes never left her face.

DJ looked up at his mother. “Go ahead, baby. Be good.” She leaned over to kiss his cheek.

When the boys ran off, leaving the two adults alone, Brandi suddenly felt nervous. Mason smiled at her with even white teeth.

“Thanks for bringing your son over. Ben has really been looking forward to this.”

“So has DJ. He’s been talking about this nonstop.”

“So, Brandi…I mean, Mrs. Evans--”

“Please call me Brandi.” She smiled at him.

“And you must call me Mason. Where’s your daughter tonight?”

“She’s at my mother’s house. Well, I should be going, but please call me if DJ gives you any trouble. He can be quite a little rascal when he wants to be.”

“Boys will be boys. I’m sure it won’t be anything that I can’t handle, but do you have to leave so soon? Stay and have a drink.”

“Well….”

“That is, unless you have plans, in which case I understand, of course.”

She promised Rodney that she’d call him after she dropped DJ off so they could make plans for the evening, but the way he’d been acting lately, she wasn’t crazy about seeing him tonight. She knew it probably wasn’t a good idea to stay for a drink with Mason either, but for some strange reason, she couldn’t walk away.

“A drink would be nice, thank you.”

“Come to the living room. What would you like?”

“Do you have white wine?”

“Yes. Let me get it for you. Make yourself comfortable. I’ll be right back.”

Brandi took a seat on the big white sofa. The house was magnificent and obviously the work of an interior designer. Despite the fact that everything was tastefully done, it seemed cold.

A picture caught her eye. It was of Mason standing in front of his car dealership. He looked as handsome as he did in person and yet not the same somehow. Brandi scanned the rest of the room. She found it odd that there were no pictures of Ben or anyone else around. The only pictures on display were his. He didn’t strike her as a narcissist.

“Here is your wine, Brandi.” Mason’s voice interrupted her thoughts.

She took the glass he offered and took a sip. “Mmm, this is good wine. Thank you.”

“I noticed you were looking around. What do you think?” he asked as he sat down next to her.

Brandi’s mouth went dry. He smelled so good, and she could feel the heat of his body. Self-consciously, she scooted over. “Umm, your house is very nice.”

“But not your cup of tea?” His shrewdness took her by surprise.

“Well, you have to remember, I live with two active eight-year-olds, so our house looks a little more lived in than this,” she said as diplomatically as she could.

“I know--I mean, I can imagine. This place does look a little like a mausoleum. I was thinking of redecorating. A woman’s opinion would be nice.” He smiled at her.

“Are you asking me? You don’t even know me.”

“Maybe not yet, but I’m sure you’re a woman of good taste. I bet you decorated your own house.” His mesmerizing eyes seemed to be looking at her to her very soul. Her body tightened in reaction. Why was this man affecting her this way?

“I did decorate my own place, but that was different. For a place like this, I really think you would be better off with a professional.”

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